Folding crib



June 9 6- s. w. S(. ZHM|TT ET AL 7 FOLDING CRIB Filed April 28, 1932 2 sheats-sheet l IIIQVENTORS STANLEY W. ScHM/rT,

AND ALBERT J. Mom,

A EY

June 2, 193.6. s. w. SCHMITT ET AL FOLDING CRIB Filed April 28, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS STANLEY W SCHMIT AND ALBER Patented June 19 36 PATIENT OFF-ICE I'OIDING CRIB s chmitt; 110mm, and m J. 3.; said Mary assignmto Morn .Ri said Sohmitt Application April as, 1982;Serlal No. 001.914

1 Claims. (01. -99) h This invention relates to folding cribs of the type adapted to be folded into a compact bundle,

. and has for its objectto provide a device of this class which is more convenient to handle than the usual types, which is lighterin weight and capable of being opened and closed in short time with ease and without the use of any tools. There have been a variety of prior art suggestions for folding beds and cribs. One such contemplated a non-yieldable bottom or mattress supporting frame, split centrally with each half pivotally connected so that it may fold up contiguous an end member. -While this construction may be' folded fairly compactly, an ob-- jection has been the non-yieldable and rigid mattress support. If this mattress support be made of canvas or wire spring so as to be yieldable this type construction becomes bulky and wardly within the cumbersome. For example if the sides of 'each "pivotal bed frame section are not rigidly connected they do not move together with the result that the folding operation becomes more difficult and inconvenient. If these members are rigidly connected by a transverse member then such transverse member must be bowed down to a considerable extent if it is not to be in the way of the yieldable material when sagging under. the weight of an occupant. This type bed has contemplated side bars which are permanently and pivotally connected to the bed ends and adapted to be folded inward; or else adapted to be disconnected for folding.

Another type folding bed has contemplated the mattress supporting frame, being centrally pivoted for folding upwardly. Side bars have been used which are adapted'to be folded inraised mattress supporting bed frame. An objection to this last construction is C that when folded the bed is not as compact a's-is the former construction although the mattress supporting-member may be yieldable without forsaking convenience since the bed frame members are not disconnected from one another or from the end members of the bed. Another objection is that there must be considerable clearance between the side bars and mattress supporting bed of the corner frame if these parts are not to he in the way of one another in folding up. In an effort to attain greater compactness when folded this last type construction has sometimes had the sidebars adapted to. be disconnected from the ends, but this-has usually entailed inconvenience and the expenditure of substantial time in folding and unfolding by tighteningor releasing nuts, bolts and the like. Such fasteners have been regarded as necessary because a child of a year and a half or two years or more frequently shakes its crib in a manner to loosen a less substantial type of connection. I

The present invention partakes of the advannected between the longitu hers I! and preferably also connected to a trans-- tages of both previously mentioned types of fold-. ing beds while at the same time eliminating the inherent disadvantages of each previous type construction. According to this invention the .bed frame members are permanently connected to the end members and are not separable. The

maintain the side bars in extended position so that this quick detachable fastener may be maintained closed, and also abutments are provided to take opposite thrusts between the side bars and the end members.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 shows an end view of the device of this invention when folded. Fig. 2 shows a detail .of .one end. portion with the bed frame open and the side bars folded at one end. Fig. 3- is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is aside view of the crib in open position. Fig. 5 is a detail of the latch used on the inner side of one of the side bars. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 5. Fig. 'l is a detail showingthe L bracket attached to the inner side of the corner posts for supporting the bed frame.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the end members iii are shown as comprising comer posts ll secured at each end of a panel I! preferably of multi ply wood. Connecting the members It at each end of the bed are the longitudinal frame members I 3 provided with a central pivot II on each side whereby these frame members I 3 may be swung upwardly as shown in Fig. 1. A yieldable material such as canvas II or spring wire mesh is condinal bed. frame memverse frame member I at each end of. the mem-, bers II. By having the material ll yieldable a more comfortable construction is provided without recourse to heavy mattresses and the like. Theselongitudinal frame members ii are pivotally supported adjacent each end member Ill by the L brackets l1 and the screws l8, These brackets are preferably secured on an inner side posts-H as shown in Fig. '7 and the ho tal portion of this bracket I I is longer than double the thicknessof the side bars II and 20 so that thepivot I8 is far enough o utdrom the end member ill to permit the side bars to be folded between the end member I0 and the iongitugiinal frame members ii in folded position as shown inFig. 1.

Upper and lower side tively are connected by ordinary vertical'rungs 2| and these side bars are each pivotally connected at one end to a corner post II by the hinge 22 shown inFlgs. 1. 2, and 4. Central hinges 2-3 are mountedfias shown to permit'the side bars to be folded inwardly. Preferably the hingel bars I! and so respec- 22 for the side bars on one side are secured to the head end while these hinges 22 for the side bars on the other side of the bed are arranged at the foot or diagonally opposite corner post. The other end of each side bar is provided with a quick detachable and yieldable fastening means shown in Fig. 3 as comprising the snap fastening member 24 adapted to receive the cooperative fastener member 25. These fastener members 24 and 25 are preferably arranged on the bottom and top side of the side bars as shown in Fig. 4 so that any downward thrust on the side bars is transmitted directly to the member 25 from the upper side bar while any upward thrust is transmitted from the lower side bar 20 to the cooperative fastener member 25 secured to the corner post I I. After the fastener member has been engaged the latch 21 pivoted at 28 on the inner face of theside bars engages the screw 29 for holding the two pivotal sections of the side bars in extended position. As shown in Fig. 6 this latch 21 is preferably located in a countersink or recess 30. As shown in Fig. 1 straps 3| or other convenient securing means mayretain the parts.

in folded position.

One feature of thisinvention contemplates the longitudinal bed frame members l3 being located below the top side bars l9 as shown in Fig. 1 so that when folded this bed is much narrower at the top than at the bottom with the result that a wide and stable foundation is provided,

thereby adapting this construction for use in an automobile where the bed when folded may safely stand on the floor of the car without danger of being tipped over by the usual shocks and bumps.

. A yieldable material l5 gives comfort without recourse to heavy mattresses. Since the bed frame members are permanently connected to the ends and centrally pivoted as shown the side bars are disconnected at diagonally opposite corners by means of a snap type fastener of the construction illustrated in Fig. 3. When located as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 these fasteners may cooperate with'the side bars to serve as abutments for oppositely directed thrusts without straining the yieldable portions of the fastener.

When made of maple the complete crib including the canvas l5 will weigh only about 22 pounds and from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 the bed may be fully opened for use with both side bars firmly secured to the end members in about 10 seconds and without the necessity for using any tools. As the rungs 2| of the side bars are allinwardly of the longitudinal bed frame members l3 it.may be seen from Figs. 1 and 2 that the only element which might be engaged by on the inner'face of each upper side bar I9.

I This allows the quick detachable fasteners to be disengaged at one end of the side bars and such side bars'on one side of the bed folded inwardly to a position contiguous the end of the bed as shown in Fig. 2. The side bars on the other side of the bed are then folded inwardly contiguous theopposite end of the bed. When the side bars have been moved out of the way contiguous each end of the bed the longitudinal frame members i3 may then be readily swung upwardly with the aid of a hand or foot. As these bed frame memhere are folded upwardly the end members I0 are drawn together. The frame members I 3 are so arranged that their weight keeps them in extended position as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The brackets l1 space the pivots II from the and members l0 far enough so that the side bars 20 may be folded between the end portions and these bed frame members in folded position.

When the latches 2'! are in the position shown in Fig. 5 both the upper and lower side bars are maintained in extended position with their detachable ends abutting the corner posts ll. With the fastening means 24 and 25 illustrated the detachable ends of the side bars are thus maintained against movement in any direction, the fastener elements 24 and 25 preclude any lost motion in one direction, while the side bars abutting the corner posts preclude movement in another direction and the. fastener elements 25 abutting the sides of the side bars preclude movement in the third direction This invention is not designed as a crib for use in automobiles but is to be used in place of a child's regular crib at hotels, tourist houses, for camping, picnics, visiting friends or relatives, and for any other temporary use. In addition this crib will find application in homes and hospitals where a crib has to be moved out of the way during the day and put up at night.

We claim:

1. A folding bed comprising end members, a bed frame having longitudinal members between which is carried a flexible supporting material, said longitudinal frame members being pivotally connected to the end members of the bed and also pivotally jointed centrally to swing upward between said end members drawing the end members toward each other, and side guards connecting and bracing said end members above said bed frame when the bed is open, each of said side guards having at least two portions pivotally connected and being diagonally oppositely pivoted to the end members for rotation horizontally whereby each of the side guards may be folded in an upright position between the frame when folded and an end member, the pivot of said longitudinal members of the bed frame adjacent the end members being spaced may be placed between said upper and lower longitudinal side guard members, the bed frame longitudinal members whenfolded being below the upper longitudinal members of said side guards, whereby the bed when folded may be thinner at the top than at the bottom and the end members inclined to provide a wide sup- ,porting base.

2. A folding bed comprising end membersya bed frame having longitudinal members between which is attached a flexible supporting material, said longitudinal frame members being pivotally jointed centrally to swing upward between said end members drawing the end members toward each other, foldable side guards connecting and bracing said end members above the bed frame when the bed is open, each of said side guards being jointed to collapse and fold'contiguous an end member to which it is hinged and each side guard also being shaped to abut opposite end butt-connected to resist a compressive, stress applied by theend members due to the weight of an occupant of the bed being applied to the end members out of their planes and tending to ro- 5 tate said end members about the floor as pivot and toward each other, each of the side guards being removably connected to an end member by a quickly yieldably engageable snap fastener adapted to be closed on movement of the side guard end in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the end member, and each side,

guard being provided with latching and stiffening means to maintain its sections in extended position.

3. A folding bed comprising end members, a

bed frame having longitudinal members between whichis attached a flexible supporting material,

said longitudinal frame members being pivotally I connected to the end members and also pivotally jointed centrally to swing upward between'said end members drawing the end members toward each other, side guards connecting and bracing said end members above thebed frame when the bed is open, each of said side "guards being jointed to collapse and)fold adjacent an end member to which it is hinged and each side guard also being shaped to abut opposite end members with the sections of each side guard being butt-connected to resist a compressive stress applied by the end members due to the weight of an occupant of the bed being applied to the end members out of their planes and tending to rotate said end members about the floor as pivot and toward each other,

each of the side guards being removably connected to an end member by a quickly and yieldably engageable snap fastener adapted to be closed on movement of the side bar end in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the end member, each end member including a pair of corner posts, a metal plate fastened to each of the inner and transversely opposite corner post faces and extending longitudinally for said pivotal attach-r ment of a longitudinal frame member intermediate the ends of said longitudinal frame member,

a rigid lateral brace between said longitudinal frame members at each end arranged so that at least a portion of each lateral brace is longitudinally outside the bed frame pivots, said flexible supporting material being solely supported between said braces and longitudinal members and each side guard-being, provided with means to maintain its sections in extended position.

4; A folding bed comprising end members, longitudinal. frame members pivotally connected to j the end members and centrally jointed to fold upwardly drawing the end members closer together, foldable side guards, each side guard being pivotally connected to an end member and having portions pivotally connected for folding against an end member and between the longitudinal frame members and the and member to which connected, the jointed portions of each side guard being stiffened to rigidly transmit compressive stresses without any substantial joint looseness, each side guard being engaged with an end member by a joint to rigidly transmit compressive stresses and adapted to be disengaged by separation of the side guard and end member in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the 70 end member as the side guard is swung about its pivotal connection to an end member and the 'side guard portiomadjacent said end member joint is swung about its central joint.

' 5. A folding bed comprising end members, a bed frame having longitudinal members between which is carried a flexible supporting material, said longitudinal frame members being pivotally connected to the end members and also pivotally 5 jointed centrally to swing upward between said end members drawing the end members toward each other, and foldable side guards connecting and bracing said end members above said bed frame when thebed is open, each of saidguards 10 between which is carried a flexible supporting material, said longitudinal frame members being pivotally connected to the end members and hav- 25 ing portions pivotally connected to swing upward between said end members drawing the end members toward each other, and foldable side guards connecting and bracing said end members above said bed frame when the bed is open, 30 each of said side guards being pivotally connected to an end member for rotation substantially horizontally whereby each may be moved in an upright position between the frame when folded and an endmember, the side guards when folded being adapted to be inclined with respect to the frame members when folded until the folded side guards" substantially abut adjacent the top of the folded bed, the end members being inclined to about the same amount as said side guards 4 whereby a wide foundation may be provided for the folded bed at the base of said end members and. space economy provided at the top of folded bed;

7. A folding bed comprising end members, a 45 bed frame having longitudinal members between which is carried a flexible supporting'material, said longitudinal frame members being pivotally connected to the end members and also having portions connected to swing upward between said 50 end members drawing the end members toward each other, and foldable side guards connecting and bracing said end members above said bed frame when the bed is open, each of said side guards being pivotally mounted to an end membar for rotation substantially horizontally wherer by each may be swung in an upright position between the frame when folded and an end member, the longitudinal frame members being transversely connected adj acent their pivotal "portions solely by the flexible supporting material, said side guards comprising upper and lower members connected byrungs spaced inwardly of the ends of said side guards in amount suflicient to permit the longitudinal frame members being folded into the space outside the rungs of the side guards 'and below the upper members of the side guards. STANLEY W. SCHMI'II.

ALBERT J. MORY. 

